Business & Money
Standard Bank Launches Mauritius Unit for Africa’s SMEs Growth
Standard Bank’s establishment of an offshore unit in Mauritius marks a pivotal step in its commitment to driving Africa’s economic development. By expanding its service offerings and capitalizing on Mauritius’ robust financial ecosystem, the bank is strategically positioned to meet the growing demands of SMEs across the continent while unlocking new avenues for growth.
:Standard Bank launches an offshore unit in Mauritius to serve small and mid-sized African businesses, leveraging the island’s favourable financial environment for regional and global expansion.
By Charles Wachira
Introduction: Standard Bank, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, has strategically expanded its footprint by launching an offshore unit in Mauritius, it said on Wednesday, 18 September 2024.
This move is aimed at enhancing its service offerings to small and mid-sized businesses across the continent, leveraging Mauritius’ favorable regulatory environment and strategic location.
Expansion to Mauritius: The decision to establish an offshore unit in Mauritius was driven by several strategic considerations.
Standard Bank recognized Mauritius as a hub with robust financial services infrastructure and a stable regulatory framework conducive to offshore banking operations.
This move not only enables Standard Bank to offer tailored financial solutions to its clientele but also positions it strategically to facilitate cross-border transactions and investment opportunities within Africa and beyond.
Strategic Benefits: By setting up operations in Mauritius, Standard Bank gains a competitive edge in servicing Africa’s growing small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The offshore unit allows the bank to provide specialized financial products, including wealth management, investment banking, and treasury services, tailored to the needs of businesses looking to expand regionally and globally.
Moreover, Mauritius’ status as an international financial center enhances Standard Bank’s credibility and attractiveness to international investors seeking exposure to African markets.
Market Dynamics and Competition: Standard Bank’s move follows a trend where other African continental banks have also established a presence in Mauritius.
This includes institutions leveraging the island’s favorable tax regime and access to global financial markets.
Competition among these banks underscores Mauritius’ role as a gateway for financial services targeting Africa’s burgeoning SME sector, highlighting the island’s importance in facilitating intra-Africa trade and investment flows.
Conclusion: Standard Bank’s launch of an offshore unit in Mauritius signifies a strategic milestone in its mission to support Africa’s economic growth.
By enhancing its service capabilities and leveraging Mauritius’ financial ecosystem, Standard Bank is well-positioned to cater to the evolving needs of SMEs across the continent while tapping into new growth opportunities.
This move not only strengthens its market presence but also underscores its commitment to driving financial inclusion and economic development in Africa.
Additional Context: Other notable African banks with a foothold in Mauritius include Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), which also utilizes Mauritius as a strategic base for its financial operations across the continent.
This reflects a broader trend of African financial institutions leveraging Mauritius’ strategic advantages to expand their regional and global reach.
This business story effectively captures Standard Bank’s strategic decision to expand into Mauritius, highlighting the implications for its business strategy and the broader African financial landscape.
Keywords:Standard Bank Mauritius expansion:African SME offshore banking:Mauritius financial hub:Cross-border investment Africa:Offshore banking for SMEs
: KCB Group reports Sh44.5B ( US$ 342.31) nine-month profit, outpacing
Equity Bank. Learn about its 49% growth, challenges, and stock performance this
year.
KCB Group Plc has outperformed Equity Bank to cement its position as Kenya’s leading
lender, posting a net profit of Sh44.5 billion for the nine months ending September
This represents a 49% year-on-year growth, surpassing Equity Bank’s Sh37.5
billion profit during the same period.
Profit Growth Driven by Core Business Performance
The remarkable profit growth was fueled by higher earnings from both interest and non-
interest income streams. KCB’s diverse revenue base has been pivotal in maintaining
its dominance in the competitive banking sector.
Non-Performing Loans a Key Concern
Despite the impressive profit growth, KCB’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio rose to
18.5%, compared to 16.5% last year. This increase highlights persistent challenges in
managing credit risk, with Chief Financial Officer Lawrence Kimathi acknowledging it as
a “pain point” for the bank.
KCB Stock Outshines Peers on NSE
KCB’s strong financial performance has translated into exceptional stock market results.
The bank’s stock has risen 78.8% year-to-date, making it the best-performing banking
stock on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
Plans to Sell National Bank of Kenya
Earlier this year, KCB announced plans to sell its struggling subsidiary, National Bank of
Kenya (NBK), to Nigeria’s Access Bank. While Nigerian regulators have approved the
deal, it is still awaiting clearance from Kenya’s Central Bank. The sale aims to
streamline KCB’s operations and address losses at NBK.
CEO Paul Russo Optimistic About Year-End Performance
“The journey has not been without its hurdles, but our ability to walk alongside our
customers has driven our success,” said KCB CEO Paul Russo. He expressed
confidence in closing the year on a high note, leveraging improving economic conditions
across the region.
Key Figures at a Glance
● Net Profit: Sh44.5 billion (+49%)
● Non-Performing Loan Ratio: 18.5% (up from 16.5%)
● Stock Performance: +78.8% year-to-date
KCB’s strong performance underscores its resilience in navigating challenges and its
commitment to sustaining growth in Kenya’s banking sector.
Business & Money
Top 10 Kenyan banks by total assets as of 2023, based on data from the Central Bank of Kenya:
KCB Bank Kenya Limited
Total Assets: KSh 1.425 trillion
Market Share: 17.4%
Equity Bank Kenya Limited
Total Assets: KSh 1.004 trillion
Market Share: 12.2%
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC
Total Assets: KSh 661.7 billion
Market Share: 9.2%
Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 624.3 billion
Market Share: 8.8%
Absa Bank Kenya PLC
Total Assets: KSh 520.3 billion
Market Share: 6.6%
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 429.3 billion
Market Share: 5.9%
Stanbic Bank Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 449.6 billion
Market Share: 5.8%
I&M Bank Limited
Total Assets: KSh 405.6 billion
Market Share: 5.4%
Diamond Trust Bank Kenya
Total Assets: KSh 399.6 billion
Market Share: 5.3%
Bank of Baroda (Kenya) Limited
Total Assets: KSh 201.9 billion
Market Share: 2.8%
These rankings illustrate the dominance of large Tier 1 banks, which collectively control over
76% of the market share. Strategic expansions, increased deposit mobilisation, and robust
lending practices underpin the sector’s strong performance
: Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of industrialist Pankaj Oswal, faces serious
charges in Uganda. The Oswals call for UN intervention amid claims of corporate
jealousy.
Vasundhara Oswal, the 26-year-old daughter of prominent Swiss-Indian industrialist
Pankaj Oswal, has found herself at the centre of a legal storm in Uganda.
Her father, a well-established business figure, is known for his diverse investments,
most notably a $150 million ethanol plant in Uganda.
This plant, the largest of its kind in East Africa, is a key part of Oswal’s broader strategy
to invest in industrial and eco-friendly solutions in the region. The facility produces extra-neutral alcohol (ENA), which is used in the beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
It is recognised for its modern technology and sustainable practices, such as zero liquid
discharge, emphasising the Oswal family’s commitment to both industrial growth and
environmental responsibility.
In addition to the ethanol plant, Pankaj Oswal has made strategic investments across
various industries, including petrochemicals, agriculture, and real estate.
His ventures reflect a global reach, extending to Australia and India, where he has
been involved in industries ranging from agriculture to renewable energy.
His diversified business approach and commitment to sustainability have made him a prominent figure in international business. However, in October 2024, the family’s legacy was overshadowed by the legal troubles surrounding Vasundhara Oswal.
She was detained on October 1, 2024, after being accused of involvement in the
alleged murder of Mukesh Menaria, a former employee who had worked with the
Oswals since 2017.
Menaria had accused the family of harassment but later testified under oath that they
had not harmed him Despite this, charges of kidnapping and murder were brought against Vasundhara.
Her family has strongly denied these allegations, claiming that the charges are
politically motivated and part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by their business rivals
in collaboration with corrupt officials in Uganda.
The Oswals have appealed to the United Nations, seeking intervention and asserting
that the legal proceedings against Vasundhara are unlawful. Vasundhara has actively managed the family business throughout her career, especially the ethanol plant, and led the company’s sustainable initiatives.
Beyond her business involvement, she has also been an advocate for community
welfare and mental health, further cementing the Oswal family’s reputation for corporate
social responsibility.
The unfolding legal drama has raised important questions about the intersection of
business, politics, and the legal systems in Uganda.
While the Oswal family’s ventures reflect a blend of industrial innovation and social
responsibility, the legal challenges Vasundhara faces have cast a shadow over their
business empire, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in East Africa.
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